Someone Asks People To Share The Worst Gift They’ve Been Given And 50 Absolutely Don’t Hold Back

​​While it’s true that not everyone has mastered the art of giving the perfect present, a little bit of thought goes a long way in ensuring you give someone a good gift that they’ll truly appreciate. Good doesn’t have to mean expensive. The best things in life are free. Or sometimes handmade. A good gift is meaningful and memorable to the person receiving it.

A 2024 survey by online gifting platform GiftAFeeling revealed that 85% of people polled believe a thoughtful gift can strengthen relationships, and that gift-giving has evolved to express deeper values and connections. It's no longer okay to gift meaningless, useless, or worse, offensive stuff.

Bored Panda got in touch with etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall for her advice when it comes to buying and receiving gifts. "Shop within your budget, not their desires," Randall told us, adding that it helps to partner with someone. "Pooling your funds creates more options and sometimes dilemmas. First, establish a max and agree on the gift."

Of course, the expert also says you should always consider the recipient's likes and dislikes. Recall their interests or something they’ve been eager to pursue, she advises. "Don’t select something you think they should like, or it will help them. A home décor book because you think they need to spruce up their apartment. Or a year supply of protein bars because everyone likes them, so they have to," Randall told Bored Panda.

The etiquette experts warns that you shouldn't overspend because it’s what they expect you to do. Nor should you give an expensive gift to receive recognition and adoration from recipients and guests on how generous you are."

This list deals with the worst gifts people have ever received. So it was only natural that we asked Randall what to do if we ever got a present that offended us... "Before you throw the gift across the room, consider the source," she suggested. "If the gift is an extension of their personality and sense of humor, roll your eyes and move on."

The expert added that what’s offensive to one person may only be considered tacky to another. However, if the gift is truly against your beliefs or principles, you have options. Though extreme, you can put the gift back in the bag and toss it. Or you could privately explain your feelings to the person and return the gift to them.

Randall says if their reaction is dismissive or they insist you are too sensitive, let them know you have boundaries; and your boundaries were crossed. Another option is to give the gift to someone who would appreciate it.

Which brings us to our next point... Regifting, which cropped up a few times in the comments section of the TikTok video. And you'll find more on how to deal with that if you keep scrolling...

"Regifting is practical, if done right," says Randall. "Others believe that the gift was meant for you, therefore, it is tacky to pass it on."

She says if you do choose to regift, always remember who gave the present to you in the first place. For obvious reasons. Also, don’t give it to someone who knows the original gift-giver. What if they bought it when they were together? "Be sure the gift is to their liking," adds Randall. "Open the gift; look for notes; rewrap with new paper. It’s worth the effort."

The expert warns that you should always be prepared to get caught. And she is speaking from experience.

Randall tells Bored Panda that she once was regifted something she'd given to some. It was "awkward," to say the least. "How did I know it was my gift? I had tucked a small card inside; it was still there," said the etiquette expert. But being an expert of that nature, Randall knew how to handle the situation with grace and courtesy.

She says if it ever happens to you, to avoid embarrassing anyone, you should simply receive the gift with enthusiasm and gratitude. "Avoid comments that indicate displeasure or a piercing look saying, 'gotcha!'" she added. Randall says once the party is over, go ahead and regift the gift. Hopefully, the cycle will end at some point.

A wise person once said that we should spend our money on experiences and not things. And it seems the same applies to giving gifts. The GiftAFeeling survey found that 62% of those polled preferred experiences over physical items. Making memories trumps having more "stuff" to fill your house...

If you're thinking "ah! gifting an experience is simple," in reality it's not. It takes a fair amount of thought and you need to know a bit about the recipient. Their likes and dislikes. Their absolute pet peeves. Their fears. Perhaps even their allergies. Your experience gift is going to go down in the record books for all the wrong reasons if you don't put thought into it.

For example, do not send a recovering alcoholic off on a gin-making experience. Don't give a helicopter flip or bungee jumping voucher to someone with a fear of heights. The gift of a cooking class is also not going to be well-received if the recipient is vegan and shows up only to find out they'll be cooking a juicy steak. Same applies to any experience that might go against someone's religious beliefs.

That said, if you know enough about your "experience gift" recipient, the world is your oyster. There are dozens of sites that offer vouchers, class bookings, and experiences. But, warns Randall, don't give someone a gift card to a show, restaurant, or cooking class expecting them to take you as their "plus 1."

The survey also showed a trend towards eco-friendly gifts. 70% of those polled said they'd appreciate a present that doesn't harm the environment.

"Whether it's a reusable product, a plant, or something made from sustainable materials, eco-friendly gifts show thoughtfulness toward both the recipient and the planet," reads the GiftAFeeling site. "These gifts resonate with those who prioritize sustainability and reflect shared values around protecting the environment."

If finding the "perfect" gift gives you anxiety, just remember a great gift doesn’t have to change someone’s life, it can just be something that’s fun and nice and comforting. That's according to Erica Cerulo, who runs a recommendation-filled podcast called "A Thing or Two."

“We often give ourselves this challenge of being like, ‘What is the gift that only I could give them? What is the gift that proves I know them so well?’ And that’s kind of impossible,” Cerulo told Vox.

Cerulo suggests asking yourself three questions when choosing a gift for someone:

“Can I introduce someone to something they might not otherwise know about? Can I get them a nicer version of something than they would buy for themselves? Or can I make them feel seen?”

The expert says if you can check one of those three boxes, it's likely you're doing something right.

And what if they don't like it? "Even when you think you’ve bought the perfect gift, it may not always be received with the enthusiasm you expect," says Randall. "Be okay with that, because your intention was genuine."